title: Effect of Methylsulfonylmethane Pretreatment on Aceta-minophen Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing compound found in a wide range of human foods including fruits, vegetables, grains and beverages. In this study the effect of MSM pretreatment on acetaminophen induced liver damage was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Sprague Dawley rats were pretreated with 100 mg/kg MSM for one week. On day seven rats were received acetaminophen (850 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Twenty-four hours later, blood samples were taken to determine serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Tissue samples of liver were also taken for the determination of the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA); total glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity together with histopathological observations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High dose of acetaminophen administration caused a significant decrease in the GSH level of the liver tissue, which was accompanied with a decrease in SOD activity and increases in tissue MDA level and MPO activity. Serum ALT, AST levels were also found elevated in the acetaminophen-treated group. Pretreatment with MSM for one week was significantly attenuated all of these biochemical indices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that MSM pretreatment could alleviate hepatic injury induced by acetaminophen intoxication, may be through its sulfur donating and antioxidant effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bohlooli
authors.forename: Sadollah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.forename: Keyvan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amirshahrokhi
authors.forename: Hafez
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mirzanejad-Asl
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yosefi
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadi-Nei
authors.forename: Mir Mehdi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chinifroush
keywords: Acetaminophen; Anti-oxidant; Hepatotoxicity; Methylsulfonylmethane Poisoning